Viera’s Rousseau cements legacy with third state diving title

By CARL KOTALA

Published: November 28, 2017

Viera High's Sarah Rousseau is the only athlete in school history — individual or team — to have won three state championships. Rousseau, who won her third consecutive state championship last month, has signed with the University of Missouri.

VIERA VOICE Carl Kotala

There was a time when Sarah Rousseau never pictured herself winning a single state diving title … let alone three in a row.

But that’s exactly what the Viera High senior did last month, turning in a dominating performance at the Class 3A one-meter state diving championships at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart.

“It went pretty well,” Rousseau said of her state meet performance. “My dives, overall, were pretty consistent. I could have done a few a little better, but overall, it went pretty well.

“… There was definitely some competition. I didn’t know if I was going to win or not so I had to be focused and do the best I could.”

The win cemented Rousseau’s legacy as one of the most decorated individual athletes in Viera High sports history.

“I never imagined for me to even win states once, so winning it three times is really surprising,” Rousseau said. “I’m really happy I got the chance to have this opportunity to win it three times. It’s pretty cool and amazing to get that opportunity.”

In addition to her three state titles, Rousseau and teammate Ryan Just also won the Cape Coast Conference title four years in a row.

Earlier this year, Rousseau won the 16 to 18 age group in the one-meter event at the 2017 USA Diving National Preliminary Zone D Championships at an event held in Brown Deer, Wis.

That qualified her for the 2017 USA Diving National Championships, which were held at Ohio State in August. Rousseau finished 12th.

Last month, after taking visits to Florida State, Kentucky and Missouri, she signed her National Letter of Intent to dive for the Tigers.

“All of the visits were awesome and fun,” Rosseau said. “I just knew that (Missouri) was the place for me, so I picked there. (I liked) the facility and the team. I liked the atmosphere there.”

Next up for Rousseau is a trip to Canada to take part in the CAMO Invitational in Montreal before preparing for the Junior World and Junior Olympic tryouts, which begin in May.

The girl who never thought she’d even win one state diving title sure has come a long way. And as long as she keeps working at it, there’s no telling how far she’ll go.

“I definitely didn’t think I would come this far and improve a lot, but thanks to all of my coaches like (Yaidel) Gamboa and Bill (Talbot of Sunrise Springboard Diving in Satellite Beach) and everyone who’s helped me, I’ve improved so much,” Rosseau said. “I’m happy that I have and I want to continue improving.”